ROCHESTER — Flu vaccinations are now available for free to students in the Rochester School District, with the exception of Spaulding High School and the Bud Carlson Academy, through Goodwin Community Health.

The flu season typically runs from October through May, and now students in the district will get vaccinated throughout the month of November.

Students will be offered a flu shot or a nasal mist. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, both vaccinations provide adequate protection against the most common strains of influenza.

Students at the Rochester Middle School received vaccinations on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 8 to 10:45 a.m. McClelland students were also be vaccinated on Wednesday from 12 to 3 p.m. William Allen students will receive vaccinations on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

Students at Chamberlain will be vaccinated Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. School Street students are scheduled for vaccinations on that same day from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Students at East Rochester and Nancy Loud will be vaccinated on Monday, Nov. 18, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m., respectively. Gonic students will receive vaccinations on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Students at Maple Street Magnet School were vaccinated in October.

High school students were not included in the list, though districts with smaller populations, such as Farmington and Somersworth, vaccinated their high school students.

Lara Willard, Director of Community Relations at GCH, said that high schools often have of a low rate of return on the required consent forms. The high schools that were covered, were often rolled into coverage with another school within the district.

“We commend Rochester for expanding their coverage this year,” she said. She explained that last year, the district offered vaccinations to middle school students only, expanding to offer it to all elementary students as well this year.

Students who are not vaccinated through the clinics, as well as parents and families, can still get flu shots or nasal mists at GCH on a sliding scale fee.

With the vaccinations of the Rochester students, GCH expects to administer more than 750 vaccinations via free school clinics this season, many of which the nonprofit paid for. “We offer the flu clinics to the schools that have the highest need,” said Willard. The organization commits to more than it receives funding for because they do it as a public service to the communities it serves.

International best bluegrass band winner, the Gibson Brothers will be performing at a fundraiser for the organization on Nov. 15 at the Rochester Opera House.

Consent forms were sent home and are required for the vaccinations. To download a copy of the consent form, to find out which vaccination is the best option for your child, or to find out more on where to go to get your shot, go to goodwinch.org/no-cost-flu-clinics or call 603-749-2299.